Article by Jerome Tresvalles of autodeal.com.ph
Late last year, we had the opportunity to drive the top-of-the-line Lynk & Co 06 crossover. In its Hyper Halo form, we liked the solid build quality, the advanced driver aids, and the overall interior design of the crossover. This time, however, we’re looking at the opposite end of the spectrum in the 06 lineup with the Origin SE variant.
Priced at P1,199,000, it’s P399,000 less than the Hyper Halo’s P1,598,000 price tag. With a lower price comes fewer features, but it also means this crossover is now more accessible than ever. In this review, we set out to discover whether the 06 SE’s budget-friendly price leads to a compromised experience or if it turns out to be an unexpectedly great deal. Our answer may surprise you.
Exterior
You won’t notice the price difference on the outside of the SE much as not much is different from this variant to the Hyper Halo. It still gets the head turning Lynk & Co looks, alloy wheels, and a full suite of LED lights front and back. Even the minor design elements, like the accent piece on the C-pillar, are still accounted for. What is gone, though, is the blacked-out roof, and if you ask us, it’s really not a major loss in the grand scheme of things.
Interior
Inside, all is well, as well. The SE still gets leather upholstery, an expansive interior, and an innovative interior design. Up front, the cockpit design we loved is also unchanged, and in fact, we like that despite the price decrease, it doesn’t make you feel like you’re riding in a base model car; it still feels like a premium ride behind the wheel.
Like before, the driver still has access to a large infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch HD Digital instrument cluster, and six speakers. The passengers are still able to enjoy a large panoramic sunroof, aircon vents at the back, and two Type-A chargers.
The cargo area still has 280 liters of cargo, with space for two balikbayan boxes available when you fold the rear down. They have removed the power tailgate for this variant, but, much like the black roof, it’s not something to get hung up on. Overall, the experience inside the SE is still pretty much the same as the Hyper Halo, so the question still remains: where did Lynk & Co save money? We’ll answer that in a bit.
Technology
As we mentioned earlier, the SE still gets a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster along with other features carried over from the top-of-the-line Hyper Halo. These include dual-zone automatic climate control, a 360-degree parking camera, traction control, and other passive safety features.
What has been removed to make the Origin SE more affordable are the advanced driver assist systems, which means no adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and the like. Despite the removal of advanced features, though, we’re perfectly fine with the SE because it still provides most of the modern amenities you frequently use, it has gorgeous looks, and a comfortable interior. We should add, though, that since our review of the Hyper Halo and the SE, Lynk & Co has updated its infotainment system to include Apple CarPlay. The addition of Android Auto would have rounded things out nicely, but Apple CarPlay alone is still a welcome upgrade.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood, the 06 SE retains its turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Lynk & Co made no changes to the powertrain, and rightly so, as it’s one of the better setups in its class. While we typically have reservations about DCTs, the 06 delivers one of the smoother executions on the market. Combine that with responsive steering and a comfortable ride, and the result is a vehicle that’s genuinely enjoyable to drive and ride in.
Price and Verdict
Back to the price, the 06 SE comes in at P1,199,000, which is P399,000 less than the Hyper Halo. At this price point, it competes with the Changan CS35 Plus, Kia Sonet, and GAC GS3 Emzoom. If the only major compromise is the absence of advanced driver aids — while the driving dynamics and fabulous interior remain intact — then the 06 SE is not only a safe bet in the crossover market, but also a true bang-for-your-buck choice.
